Last week saw the end of the Spalding and District Darts season and finals night.
First game of the night was the Kelly Foster Cup which saw Division Three league winners Ship keep their good season going, beating Punchbowl B 5-1 to take the league and cup double.
They only lost two legs on the way to winning. Singles wins for Brad Martin, Travis Stapleton and Zach Chapman secured the win for the Ship.
In the Dick Morgan Cup, Division Two runners up Punchbowl A took on third placed Ye Olde Abbey.
Punchbowl led 2-1 after the doubles, but a win by Dave Norbury over Paul Sellars levelled the game. Punchbowl then took control of the game, securing victory with wins from Simon Fidler, Chris Fidler, Chris Leary, and Harry Walsh.
The Division One supreme cup final was a much closer game between league winners Drayman’s A and third placed Consti A.
Drayman’s took the lead after the pairs, going 2-1 up but this could have so easily been the other way around as Sam Roberts hit a maximum 180 to leave his partner Kieran Bowman a double to win the game, however Steve Urch checked out on 120 to take the win.
Consti then forged ahead with singles wins for Jack Chilvers and Jason Vines, only to see Richard Cooper and Urch win their singles games to make it 4-3 to the Drayman’s.
Graham Burgess held his nerve and beat Josh Grainger to take it to 4-4.
Bowman and Phil Newton were the last game on and at 1-1 Bowman fired in a 180 to take control of the game. It was a nervy finish with both players missing doubles to win, but Newton eventually hit double one to seal the victory, the league and a cup double for Drayman’s.
Over to the individual finals and a fine ladies’ final which saw Sharon Barnard beat Lindsey Wingell 2-0 in a battle of the ladies’ county players.
The next game was the mixed pairs final, and father and daughter duo Mark Horspool and Casey Hill dominated and beat John Charlton and Lesley Chamberlain.
On to a closer final in the Captains’ Cup and Division One league winning captain of the Drayman’s Kev Newton, edged out Dean Parker of Ye Old Abbey to take the trophy.
The next game up was not contested due to Andy Taylor and Tracey Baldwin of Oscars being ill and unable to attend, meaning Vlad Fomkinas and Chamberlain took the Division Three pairs title by walkover.
The Division Two pairs final was always going to be an interesting final with Cambridgeshire county player Chris Fidler teaming up with Paul Sellars of Punchbowl A to take on father and son duo Dave and Craig Norbury of Ye Old Abbey.
Experience paid dividends here with Fidler and Sellars winning.
On to the Division One pairs final and the duo of Jack Chilvers and Jason Vines of Consti A took on the experienced Duncan Hunt and county player Ant Richardson.
In a final that was nip and tuck Hunt and Richardson came out the victors.
In the Division 3 singles, John Charlton of Lincoln B was victorious against Karl Kirk of Oscars
On to Division Two and Fidler featured again, taking on Luke Rhodes of Lincoln A, Fidler showing why he has played 100 plus county games and taking the victory.
The final game of the night was the prestigious Division One single’s final and last season Logan Goddard became the youngest player to win it.
This year Roberts, captain of Consti A, stood in his way to stop him having back-to-back titles.
A nervy two first legs saw Goddard go 2-0 due to missed doubles. Roberts came back in the third leg with an 18 dart leg which saw Goddard fire a 180 against Roberts on the way.
The final was flowing and both players hit a treble a time on the way down to the double, but Goddard held his nerve to take his second Division One singles title.
It was poignant for Roberts who started his career 20 years ago with Goddard’s grandad Urch and has seen him develop into the great player he is.
Other trophies of note: Most 180s Division 1 Ant Richardson, Division 2 Chris Fidler, Division 3 John Charlton. Highest Checkout, Division 1 Mark Horspool and Hank Watson, Division 2 Paul Sellars, Division 3 Wigs Harrison.
Roberts said: “A big thank you goes to the league sponsor John Charlton, the Services Club for hosting the finals and thank you to league chairman Ian Tilley for being MC on the night and calling out the finals.
“A special thank you must also go to Brian Fines who has been involved in darts for more than 60 years and after being captain of Tigers C (formerly Saracen’s Head C, Bulls Neck C and New Inn C) has handed over captaincy to Richardson after more than 40 years.
“His continued support of the league is amazing and deserves a special mention.”
